A Supreme Court panel ruled Sunday that former President Moshe Katzav's appeal in his sex crimes trial will be help with open doors. The state had asked that the appeal be held behind closed doors, as was his trial.

“It seems to us that at this stage, in light of the widespread publicity allowed by the district court, the trial can and should be held, at least for the most part, with open doors,” said Justices Miriam Naor, Edna Arbel, and Salim Joubran.

The original trial, in which Katzav was found guilty and sentenced to seven years in prison, was held behind closed doors. Katzav had asked that proceedings be open to media coverage, but his request was rejected in order to maintain his accusers' privacy.

The Supreme Court panel noted that some parts of the appeal may be held behind closed doors as well, “if either side requests it, or at the court's initiative.”